Holiday
Accidents
Now that Summer in the UK is nearing an end, thousands of people
will be counting the days until their next foreign holiday. Even though
holidays should be a time for relaxation and enjoyment, whilst many people
return having had a wonderful time, some will have had a far less enjoyable
experience after their holiday was ruined by an accident or by an illness.
Unfortunately holiday accidents can happen, even if you think the holiday
you are going on will be safe. You could get food poisoning, slip or fall, or
even be involved in a road traffic accident.
Holiday accidents can happen on board boats, trains, planes and in hired
vehicles and many occur because we often participate in activities which are
unique to the holiday environment and higher risk such as paragliding.
If you should be unfortunate enough to have an accident or contract an
illness abroad, this can be a very traumatic and stressful experience for
you and your family. Not only will you face dealing with the pain and
inconvenience of the injury, but you will also find yourself in a foreign
country having to seek help and treatment within unfamiliar health systems.
Wherever you are when you have your accident or contract your illness,
there will be laws in place to protect you and ensure that, where necessary,
you have a right to claim compensation in respect of the accident or illness
you have suffered.
Holidays abroad that have been purchased as part of a package are covered
by the Package Travel Regulations which were introduced in 1992. These
regulations allow a holiday compensation claim to be made in the UK for a
holiday accident or illness on holiday abroad.
On a package holiday, the tour operator organises, and is therefore
responsible for, all the elements that make up the “package”. This includes
transport to and from the holiday destination, the accommodation and any
catering that is included, and may also include “extras”, such as excursions.
P1